Player Bio

Experienced tighthead prop Ruan Smith joined the St.George Queensland Reds in the early stages of the 2018 Super Rugby season on a three-year deal and went on to play 11 matches last season for the Reds after making his Queensland debut in Round 5.

While he was new to the squad, his teammates were already familiar with his face, as twin brother JP had been with them since signing in late 2017.

Since moving to Australia as teenagers, it has been their dream to represent the Reds together and they finally got their chance in 2018. Their family are also passionate supporters, with their parents having a Reds membership and the same seats at Suncorp Stadium for more than a decade.

Ruan has played more than 50 Super Rugby games, most recently with the Brumbies, since making his debut for the Western Force in 2012. He was originally signed with the Sunwolves for the 2018 Super Rugby season, but was released on compassionate grounds.

While the twins were born in South Africa, Queensland is their second home, after their family emigrated from Cape Town to Toowoomba in 2006, where they spent a year studying at Darling Downs Rugby nursery Toowoomba Grammar School.

The pair also plied their trade in Queensland Premier Rugby for Brisbane club GPS, where both key roles in their 2018 Hospital Cup premiership, although JP didn’t play in the final with Ruan due to a fractured cheekbone.

2018

Made his Queensland debut as a replacement in the Reds’ win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires – running on together with his twin brother JP.